It’s Thanksgiving Day, and I find myself caught in a swirl of emotions—gratefulness for the day, sadness for what I’m leaving behind, and excitement for the new chapter ahead. This is my last Thanksgiving in Texas, and the reality of my move to Utah is starting to hit me.
The house is filled with the sounds of family—laughter, the clinking of dishes, children playing—and I’m soaking it all in. These are the moments I’ve treasured most. My two sons, now grown, are here, but knowing they won’t be coming with me to Utah is a bittersweet ache in my heart. Being their mom has been my greatest joy, and even though they’re ready for their own adventures, the thought of not seeing them every day makes my chest tighten.
I look around at my family—my sister—who’s my best friend, one of my rocks, and all the rest of my family. My parents sit nearby, my dad’s hands waving in the air as he excitedly tells a story most of us have heard before, my mom smiling and sharing love even while often being lost in the fog of dementia. They are the anchors of our family, and leaving them behind is perhaps the hardest part of this transition as I don’t know how much time they have left with us.
The thought that this may be one of the last Thanksgivings I share with my mom while she still remembers me is a quiet sorrow I carry today. My dad, too, is aging, and his once-sharp memory is starting to show signs of wear. The time I’ve had here with them is a blessing I don’t take lightly.
But amidst the sadness, there is hope. I’m moving to Utah to live with a dear friend and her family, a chance to help with her children while I build my business and write and finish the novels that have been stirring in my heart and mind for years. And I’m moving closer to my two daughters, a gift I’m deeply thankful for.
Utah feels like coming home. The mountains, the desert air, the landscapes I’ve always loved—they call to me. I know there will be beauty in this new chapter, even though it’s hard to see it clearly right now. All change is hard, but it’s necessary. It’s what helps us grow, adapt, and discover who we’re meant to be.
Today, I remind myself to be fully present. I let the joy of family fill the sadness of leaving, and I embrace the excitement of what’s to come. Thanksgiving is about gratitude, and I have so much to be grateful for—my family, the opportunity to start fresh, and the love that ties us together no matter the miles between us.
Change is hard. Leaving is hard. But I know this: we move forward because there is good waiting for us, even in the unknown. And the difficulties? They are the lessons that make us stronger.
Today, I am grateful for the past, hopeful for the future, and determined to live in this moment with a heart full of thanks.
#ThanksgivingReflections #LifeTransitions #FamilyAndGratitude #HopeAndChange #BittersweetGoodbyes
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